BILL NUMBER: SCR 79	CHAPTERED  07/06/00

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   92
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 6, 2000
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 29, 2000
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   MAY 16, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Escutia

                        MAY 1, 2000

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 79--Relative to Stroke Awareness
Month.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 79, Escutia.  Stroke Awareness Month.
   This measure would designate May 2000 as Stroke Awareness Month.




   WHEREAS, Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United
States afflicting between 500,000 and 600,000 Americans, and a major
cause of adult disability; many stroke victims never fully regain
their physical and mental abilities due to brain cell damage; and
   WHEREAS, Stroke costs this country more than $18 billion annually
in medical treatment and lost productivity, as well as immeasurable
suffering to the victims and their families; and
   WHEREAS, In California, more than 15,000 deaths occur every year
from stroke, accounting for 7 percent of all deaths; and
   WHEREAS, A stroke can occur suddenly, abruptly ending a career and
thwarting plans for the future; its causes are subtle; stroke can
result from a blood clot that blocks circulation, a buildup of fatty
deposits in arteries that then become dangerously narrow, or the
rupture of a blood vessel in the brain; and
   WHEREAS, Stroke can often be avoided by controlling its risk
factors by practicing healthy lifestyle habits that reduce the risk
of heart disease and stroke, particularly maintaining healthy blood
cholesterol levels, eating foods low in saturated fat and
cholesterol, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight,
and stopping smoking; and
   WHEREAS, Stroke can be avoided by paying attention to stroke's
warning signals and symptoms, particularly sudden numbness or
weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the
body, sudden confusion with difficulty speaking or understanding,
sudden difficulty seeing, sudden difficulty walking with dizziness,
loss of balance or coordination, and sudden severe headaches with no
known cause; and
   WHEREAS, Stroke's risk factors can be minimized by personal
effort, and public awareness is the key weapon in conquering stroke;
the American Heart Association, the State Department of Health
Services, and other state and private voluntary agencies play an
important role in educating the public about stroke and provide
valuable services for victims and their families; now, therefore, be
it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the month of May 2000 be recognized as
Stroke Awareness Month in California, and that all Californians are
encouraged to make themselves and their families aware of the risk of
stroke and appropriate preventative measures.
